Topolski edges out Oilily Topolski benefitted from a well-judged ride by Wexford native Daryl Jacob when coming from last to first to deny Irish raider Oilily in the Grade 2 John Smith's Top Novices' Hurdle. Unbeaten now in three hurdle starts, the son of Peintre Celebre was sent off at 11/2 and quickened up well to challenge for the lead heading towards the final flight. Oilily (14/1), who was switched wide by Andrew Leigh entering the straight, struck the front two out and rallied well after being headed on the run-in to go down by only three-quarters of a length. The 9/2 favourite Sire De Grugy was third. Jacob said: "He's very gutsy and all credit to David (Arbuthnot) and the owners for deciding to take on a good pot like this. He's not very big but he's all heart and he keeps going for you. It was a very slowly run race and it didn't suit my horse. "They were bunched up the whole way and turning into the home straight we sprinted. My horse hasn't had a whole lot of experience of running in a race like that, but he's got me out of trouble." Arbuthnot added: "He'll have a break now and we'll bring him back later in the season for runs on the Flat, maybe something like the Old Newton Cup, the Ebor or the November Handicap. Hopefully he'll be a Champion Hurdle horse next season - we'd like to think he could be." Oilily's trainer Sean Byrne said: "She just made one mistake which pushed her back a bit but the winner was very good. This is our first runner in Britain so it's fantastic. I'd say she'll go on for Punchestown and maybe Galway."
